If and When to Reintroduce (recovered) Sick Hen to Flock

[Sjpfitness]

Hi all,

My original post questioned why my 6 hens (red sexlinks) have not layed. 2 ended up dying on me and I am pretty sure it was due to complications from URI.

I contacted seller and he replaced all hens for new hens. After a few days, I did get 1-3 eggs per day, which is great. These new hens are Plymouth Rocks.

After another week, one of these new hens contracted same signs and symptoms. Took her out and treating with Baytril and Terramycin. After 4 days, she looks and acts so much better!

When can I reintroduce her to the flock? I believe there is another hen starting to show similar signs and they will keep passing it around to each other. I do not want to keep rotating the hens and quarantine them. I do not want to give them back either. They stopped laying passed few days.

Thanks all!

 

[coach723]

URI means upper respiratory infection? If that is the case then you may very well have an ongoing problem. I would not buy birds from that seller again, personally. Depending on what respiratory issue it is (can you have a swab tested by a vet?) then many of them are not 'curable' the birds become carriers for life. You can treat the symptoms and they will seem better for awhile, but during times of stress, they symptoms will recur. All birds brought in will be exposed by the birds you have now. Knowing exactly what you are dealing with would help a lot in deciding how to deal with it going forward.
https://www.evolutionfarmvets.co.uk/respiratory-disease-chickens
https://extension.psu.edu/respiratory-diseases-of-small-poultry-flocks

 

[Sjpfitness]

URI means upper respiratory infection? If that is the case then you may very well have an ongoing problem. I would not buy birds from that seller again, personally. Depending on what respiratory issue it is (can you have a swab tested by a vet?) then many of them are not 'curable' the birds become carriers for life. You can treat the symptoms and they will seem better for awhile, but during times of stress, they symptoms will recur. All birds brought in will be exposed by the birds you have now. Knowing exactly what you are dealing with would help a lot in deciding how to deal with it going forward.
https://www.evolutionfarmvets.co.uk/respiratory-disease-chickens
https://extension.psu.edu/respiratory-diseases-of-small-poultry-flocks

Correct, upper respiratory infection. I agree, I will no longer be purchasing new hens from them. I understand I am only treating symptoms with the meds. Just a shame this is happening and they are in this condition.

 

[Lamontelle4]

Hi all,

My original post questioned why my 6 hens (red sexlinks) have not layed. 2 ended up dying on me and I am pretty sure it was due to complications from URI.

I contacted seller and he replaced all hens for new hens. After a few days, I did get 1-3 eggs per day, which is great. These new hens are Plymouth Rocks.

After another week, one of these new hens contracted same signs and symptoms. Took her out and treating with Baytril and Terramycin. After 4 days, she looks and acts so much better!

When can I reintroduce her to the flock? I believe there is another hen starting to show similar signs and they will keep passing it around to each other. I do not want to keep rotating the hens and quarantine them. I do not want to give them back either. They stopped laying passed few days.

Thanks all!

Reintroduce them at night then watch them in the morning to make sure it worked.